City 3 Queens Park Rangers 2
May 13th 2012 48,000
now available from Amazon ( click on image for link)
WH Smith and the City shop
We've done it! At last after 44 years I had the pleasure of watching City beat QPR in the very last seconds of extra time to again win the Premiership. I know the last time when I went to Newcastle it was the 1st Division but it's great to be top dog again. The tension was enormous as we battered the QPR goal in the final 15 minutes. The script for this was a bit like the Danish TV series 'The Killing' -just when you thought you knew what was going to happen everything changed. An amazing climax to an enthralling season with first City looking like romping it- then we fell off the storyline and United went 8 points in front. To beat them in the final seconds of extra time on goal difference was amazing. In the end we deserved it - completing the double over the reds and playing pretty good football all season with only the occasional blip we can look back over this season with great satisfaction. QPR in danger of relegation came to defend and when they went ahead with ten men it looked like our moment of glory had gone but in the five minute Fergie time we managed to conjure up two goals and the Premiership was ours. Full marks to the whole team and now we can look forward to future success in this wonderful start to the New Era
Roberto Mancini looks relaxed as the players warm up before the match
David Platt watches Balotelli shooting in before the game. Will he be brought on I wonder
A good turnout by QPR fans -about 2000 of them
City fans relax before the game
As the kick-off grows nearer the fans and press await the entrance of the blue gladiators
On come the teams to great welcome - who said the atmosphere in the Stadium was poor!
City were unchanged as expected
Our Chairman is present for the game - well that's no surprise on such an important occasion
There are a few yellow bananas on show today
The advertising is cleared for the start
Ex City players Onuoha, Barton and SWP are starting for the visitors while Mark Hughes and several staff members were on the other bench not so many years ago
As expected City went on the attack from the first whistle
After 12 minutes Yaya Toure went down injured and although he carried on it looked as though he would not last too long
On 16 minutes Kenny had to save from Silva
two minutes later and Barton is injured in a clash with Barry
Manager Hughes is busy on the touchline
SWP is penalized for hand ball but the free kick is wasted
Lescott heads clear with help from Zamora
On 38 minutes Zabaleta got the ball from Toure and shot for goal......
.... the ball appeared to hit the bar much to the agony of the City supporters behind the goal ...
... and then Kenny in trying to keep the ball out put it over the line and for the supporters agony turns into ecstasy
City had got the first and important goal. Now QPR would have to change their tactics
It was his first this season and well deserved for his recent performances - and he featured in the days program
As Zabaleta disappeared under his colleagues the City supporters celebrated
Only a few snippets of the Poznan
Yaya Toure has more treatment and has a word with the manager and is substituted just before half time
Tow minutes into the second half a long high ball was mis-headed by Lescott who failed to realize that Cisse was nearby and the striker dashed on to crack the ball past Hart and QPR were level. City supporters were stunned!
The goal had given the visitors and their supporters hope of avoiding relegation
City continued to attack but good chances wee few and far between - here Kenny saving from Tevez
On 54 minutes Barton clears and moments later there are cries and Tevez lies on the ground.....
Mike Dean has seen the linesman's' flag
Nigel De Jong has a word with Barton
Following a discussion between the officials Mike Dean returns....
......to give Barton a red card but he did not want to go and then kicked Aguero in a further incident
In the end Richards came on to try and calm down his ex team mate
Surely it should be easy now they are down to ten men - hang on this is City you know!
City had a great chance on 60 minutes when Kenny made a point blank save from Aguero
The ball seemed to run loose and City supporters were hopeful
..but Kenny managed to grab the ball before it went over the line
Five minutes later and disaster. strike. Kompany was a little late in cutting off a ball to Traore who crossed for Mackie who scored with a good header
The QPR supporters were elated as they were almost certain to stay in the Premiership
Joe Hart was now playing well out of his area with not a QPR player in sight
Kenny punches clear yet another City corner
QPR now defended like demons not letting City get near to a chance
Balotelli on for Tevez after 75 minutes got several efforts in which were blocked
City continued to attack and Kenny saved several efforts and Joe Hart came even further up the pitch
The City bench were gatting worried as Kenny made another save
Kenny continued to foil City attacks as full time approached
As we moved into extra time Zabaleta won a corner and from the kick Dzeko ( on for Barry) headed down past Kenny......
... into the goal and it was two each. The City players dashed back as we were well into Fergie five minutes
The QPR bench were happy as Bolton had only drawn at Stoke so they were safe
With only seconds to play Aguero passed to Balotelli
Balotelli held the ball up and passed to Aguero
who ran past a player or two and cracked the ball past Kenny .......
..... to give City the victory which sealed the Premiership title. BRILLIANT!
You only have to look at the expressions on the faces of the players to see what this means to them. UNBELIEVABLE
The City fans celebrated in style
The Stadium rocked. What an atmosphere
One stupid supporters came on far too early!
Eventually the referee started the game
The bench wait for the final whistle - ah there it goes - WE ARE CHAMPIONS
Hope Nasri recovers from this hug from Platt!
Mancini is in there some where
despite announcements the crowd spill onto the pitch
What are you doing down there dad?
It was good to see the QPR supporters stay on for the celebrations
heroes of the 68 title winning team Tony Book and Mike Summerbee bring up the Cup
The worlds press are waiting for these images to be taken
The players family and friends watch the presentations
They have their own little celebration before Kompany takes the cup round the ground
Hero Aguero gets a special cuddle
QPR supporters clap the winners - good on you
Garry Owen gives us a wave
Mancini has some pictures taken
and this is what is was all about - the final pics of the trophy. Hope you enjoyed the day.
I was knackered -still am after putting this web page together!!
team
Hart 7, Zabaleta 8.5, Kompany 7.5, Lescott 7, Clichy 7: Yaya Toure 6 ( De Jong 7) Barry 8 ( Dzeko 7), Nasri 7.5, Silva 7.5, Tevez 6 (Balotelli 7) Aguero 9
NEW
